Students from St. William of York School in Stafford pray around the newly blessed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton statue. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

Fr. Robert J. DeMartino, pastor of St. William of York Church in Stafford, blesses the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton courtyard at the school Nov. 1. ZOEY MARAIST | CATHOLIC HERALD

For years, the courtyard outside the middle school hallway was an
unkempt eyesore, said David Lima, principal of St. William of York School in
Stafford. The playground, overwhelmed by insects, had to be removed. Then the
weeds took over. “It turned into a really ugly space,” said Lima.

So last year, the school decided to use money they raised through
their fun run to beautify the area with a garden. Now, a pathway from the school
leads through the grass to a white statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton surrounded
by bunches of mums and bushes.

“What really makes it a special place is that it was made and put
together by parents, students and staff,” said Lima. “There were no
professionals involved. We gingerly put the statue up and hoped it didn't
fall,” he joked. “It's a nice quiet place for the kids to meditate and pray.”

On All Saints Day, Father Robert J. DeMartino, pastor, blessed
the statue and courtyard. He told the students that as a child, every day the
nuns at his Catholic school prayed for the canonization of Elizabeth Ann Seton.
“She’s responsible for the Catholic school system as we know it in our country
today,” he said.

Throughout the church and school grounds are other statues of
saints, such as St. Therese of Lisieux and Our Lady of Grace, where parishioners
and students can take a moment to pray.

“The students know this is a place of God, all the time,” said
Lima. “All these saints are always here watching out for us and praying for
us.”